Rescuers in Pakistan had almost given up on Slovenian climber Tomaz Humar, who was rescued after being trapped for six days on one of the highest peaks in the Himalayas.

There had been several aborted salvage attempts before he was finally rescued on Wednesday.

"When we set out this morning to try and lift Mr Humar off the ledge, frankly, I thought our chances for success were very bleak," said Col Rashidullah Beg, one of the six pilots involved in the rescue.

Mr Humar had been trapped by bad weather at about 6,000m (20,000ft) on a narrow ledge along the Rupal face of Nanga Parbat - the world's ninth highest peak and one of the most formidable mountains in the world.

The renowned Slovenian was taking a route never attempted before in the 52 years since Nanga Parbat was first scaled in 1953.